Pride of Bilbao Mini Cruise

hm71_2

You can pay for items in onboard with card but there is also a bureau de change that will give you a cash advance- handy for euros for spain although the time you get there not much is open. Because we had 12 yr olds with us we spent nearly all our time in the showbar. they provided entertainment through shows & singers till around 10.30 & then had a disco till early hours not sure exactly as our crossing was so bad that we all tended to be in bed by 12.00. There is a posh bar which is like a cabarat bar- piano player in the corner etc.. but we didn't go in there. can I recommend at least 1 night going in the Four seasons restaurant- it is an all you can eat buffet- pricey at £17 per adult £10 per child + drinks but the standard of the food is so much better than the other restaurant, where a family of four can eat for £22. we treated ourselves the one night where the sea-sickness tablets were working. I would advise buying some kwells( medication) you probably won't need them but they certainly helped us.
cinema is also not free approx £5.50 films were up to date but played at some strange times. this is all on deck 6 & film times are displayed there. there is also an excellent display which shows you approx where you are in your journey my children loved looking in the mornings how far we had gone etc.. the pool is on deck 2 & actually looks as if you are going into the bowls of the ship but ok once you are there except they dont like heating it much.

kez_angel_2k2

is there much on in the daytime, ie entertainment at all?

hm71_2

threre are some games etc in the showbar- but not a great deal- swimming pool etc..

calash

I'm going tomorrow, and needed some advise - I called P &O who said that you can pay for the meals upfront with a discount so it would be £70 of adults and £30 for kids - should I go for this????

ferryenthusiast

Evening Meal

You can eat for under a tenner for an adult in the Self Service. The Carvery (eat as much as you like) for £18 per adult. Not sure about childs prices.

Breakfast

About £8 in the Self Service I think, and £10 in the Carvery which is again eat as much as you like.

toogoodtobetrue_2

I read this thread before my wife and I went on our Mini Cruise last week and would like to share some of our experiences.
We were attracted to this trip by the opportunity to see whales and dolphins in the wild and in this respect we weren't disappointed. You can pay about £250 for the trip from a whale watching company, which gives you access to the viewing deck above the ship's bridge, but we paid the regular fare of £78 (usually £72 but this was a Jazz themed trip). At the presentations given by the Wildlife Officer we were encouraged to book future trips through the charity Marine-Life as they would collect a small commission which goes towards marine research. The number of whales spotted are down this year and we were told they were unsure why, probably reduced fish stocks lower down the food chain. Three whale species and two dolphin species were spotted. My wife and me didn't see all of them but never the less still enjoyed ourselves rushing across to the opposite side of the Helicopter Deck when the Wildlife Officer spotted something interesting.

When you first get on board you are given the option to buy meal vouchers. These are like cheques of various monetry values (£7.95, £9.95 and £10) and are used to pay for meals at the checkouts. Restaurant checkouts don't take plastic. Also they don’t give change if your meal cost less than the voucher value. We bought £90 worth but I wouldn't do that again. The Bay of Biscay is noted for rough weather and if your appetite deserted you, you could be left with a fistful of vouchers which aren't returnable and can only be used on that trip.

Our cabin was number 5941 which was right at the aft end. If you are at all susceptible to sea sickness ask for a cabin amidships. The ship has stabilizers which seemed to reduce rolling but when we looked aft from the Helicopter Deck the aft end was rising and falling 40ft! in just moderate seas.

We tried the much acclaimed Lagan's Brasserie but I must say my Calves Liver and Bacon disappointed. I was asked how I wanted it cooked! I wouldn't presume to tell a West End chef how to cook liver would you? Chips or new potatoes were offered to accompany the liver; I asked for, and got mashed instead. No jus or sauce was offered with the meal so I requested onion gravy and eventually got a white onion sauce and was informed that usually went with the veal (the veal was off that evening).

There is a well stocked shop on board selling most things you would need including beer and wine at very reasonable prices. Booze bought here can be consumed most places outside the bars and restaurants so there were numerous little parties going on around the ship.

There are shore excursions costing £15 when you dock at Santurzi. Everybody must leave the ship by 8.30am and be back on board by 11.00am. The town is just 10min walk away where you can catch the train to Bilbao. The journey time is 20mins and costs just 1.50 euros; this gives time to see the famous Guggenheim Museum, St James’ Cathedral and a spot of shopping. As my wife was still feeling fragile after the crossing we just had a wander around the very pleasant town and fish quay area.

The northbound journey is more interesting from a wildlife point of view as you cross the steeply sloping ocean floor where you are more likely to see whales and dolphins during daylight hours. July, August and September are considered the best months to view wildlife.
I hope this info helps and please book through Marine-Life.

Bob_the_Saver

It's a ferry not the bl**dy QE2 !!!